And the Moon Follows by Cyn Bermudez

Author:Cyn Bermudez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Enslow Publishing, LLC
Published: 2020-08-19T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

After school, I meet Hope at the park. I’m worried about getting caught if I go back to our neighborhood. I’m far enough here, safer. I see her sitting. She’s waiting for me on the same bench I was at the day before. I limp my way to her. She notices.

“Long story,” I say as I approach her. I point to where Damien was. “Damien. He was walking his dog. I was hungry and scarfing food, and well… now look at me.”

Hope chortles. “I can guess what happened.”

I roll my eyes. Hope hands me a plastic grocery bag. Inside are my clothes and my science book.

“My book!” I say, relieved.

“I also brought you a brush. Toothpaste is in the baggie. A bar of soap and shampoo in the small plastic bottle. And a traveler hairbrush. I figured you’re probably ripe.”

I laugh. “Yeah, just a bit. Any news?”

She nods. “I heard your mom posted online. She’s asking anyone if they’ve seen you.”

“Oh no. Now I really gotta lay low.”

“Or you could just go home. Talk to your mom.”

“Don’t do that. You know I can’t.” My eyes tear up.

“No,” she says. “Not really. I don’t know why you can’t. You haven’t told me anything. I know it has to do with Frank. He’s a creep, so I can guess, but that’s not the same as knowing.”

I’m silent for a while, unsure of how to respond. I don’t even know if I can say it out loud. “I know. I just… it’s difficult.”

“All right,” she says. She gives me a tight hug. “You don’t have to say anything. I just want you to be okay.”

“Hope, he forced—” I try to say more, to explain more, but I can’t. The words are lodged at the base of my throat, threatening to steal the breath from me if I speak the truth. The intensity of the moment turns awkward.

Hope changes the subject. “There’s an abandoned house not far from here. I checked it out already. No electricity or gas, but there’s still running water for some reason. I snuck over some blankets and a pillow.”

“An abandoned house?”

She nods. “It’s better than a car. Do you want me to go with you? I can show you where it’s at.”

I want her to stay with me, but how can I ask her that? Her home life isn’t great, but I can’t just ask her to leave. To live on the streets. Or in a car. Or in an abandoned house.

“No,” I say. “Just tell me where it’s at. I’ll find it. I’ll be okay.”

Hope gives me a guilty look. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Really. Go home before sober Valerie shows up.”

She walks with me for a few blocks. Then we part.

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